Pyrometer with stable rectified voltage



Dec. 9, 1952 L.. c. LODGE PYROMTER WITH STABLE RECTIFIED VOLTAGE 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1 Filed Sept. 8, 1947 H 7- 7-0 EME ys.

Dec. 9, 1952 c. LODGE 2,620,564

PYROMETER WITH STABLE RECTIFIED VOLTAGE Filed sept. 8, 1947 2 's'HEETsf-SHEET 2 /N VaL T5 I '/N MILL l Aff/pere E5 .BVMW r and Patented Dec. 9, 1952 PYROMETER WITH STABLE RECTIFIED VOLTAGE Landon C. Lodge, St. Louis, Mo., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Minneapolis-Honeywell Regulator Company, Minneapolis, Minn., a corporation of Delaware Application September 8, 1947, Serial No. 772,801

8 Claims.

The present invention relates to a pyrometer with stable, rectied voltage.

It is an object of the invention to provide a pyrometer network combination including a very stable direct current power supply derived from an alternating current source, which source is subject to variation such as is found in conven- "tional alternating current systems. In such sys,-

tems, a nominally 115-volt source may actually vary vfrom 100 volts to 130 volts.

A further object of the invention is to provide g a pyrometer combination with a power source of the foregoing kind that will remain within a minimal percentage of its original value despite variations in ambient temperature of as much, for example, as 100 F. Specifically, it is an object of the invention to provide a pyrometer, such as a standard potentiometer pyrometer, having a rectied alternating current power source capable of supplying a direct current in the nature of .006 amperes to a resistive pyrometer network load and capable of maintaining this current within plus or minus 0.02

of one percent of its original valuedespite the variations aforesaid.

A particular object of the invention is to provide the power source aforesaid for a potentiometer type pyrometer that measures temperature by comparing the potential developed by a thermocouple or thermopile with a known fraction of a standard potential by means of a bridge circuit, wherein the standard and stable potential is derived from the power supply aforesaid.

Further objects of the invention include the provision of a pyrometer arrangement with such a very stable direct current power supply, that is lrelatively simple in construction and relatively inexpensive; so that it may be commercially substituted for the arrangements now in use, which largely consist Vof dry cells that are subject todischarge and variations of potential with temperature changes; and to supply in place of such dry cells a proper power source that is not subject to the discharge or temperature characteristics of the dry cells, but which may be used infdefinitely. For example, the life of tubes used in the arrangement presently averages about 5000 hours.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 Vis -a diagrammatic view of the preferred form of the invention;

Fig. 2 isa diagrammatic view of another form;

Fig.l 3 is a chart indicating variation of potential with variations of current through a typical gaseous conduction discharge tube used in the apparatus.

In Fig. 1, a typical network has been shown with a transformer T illustrated as being supplied with cycle alternating current power at volts, but subject to variation from 95 volts to volts. From the secondary of this transformer, lines are connected through a conventional full-wave rectifier I0 providing a positive power line Il and a negative power line I2, that are connected across the usual condenser I4.

The potential difference between the two lines I I and I2 may typically be in the nature of a minimum of 340 volts and a maximum of 480 volts for the suggested variation in primary potential.

A high ohmic resistor R-I is in series with the line II. A rst VR tube I3 (i. e.-,.gaseous conduction discharge or so-called Voltage Regulator tube) is connected at terminals I6 and I'I across the lines II and I2 after the resistor R-I.

From the terminal I6, a positive line I8 leads into another high ohmic resistor BF2. A line I 9 leads from this resistor tothevbranch junction 20 of a bridge. From this junction 20 a first line 2| leads into a resistor R-3, from which a line 22 leads to a junction 23. From this junction, a line 24 leads into a second VR tubes 25. The other side of this tube leads by a line 26 to the other junction terminal 2l of the bridge. 'I'his junction is connected by a line 28 back yto the junction I 1 on the negative power line I2.

Returning to the upper junction 20 of the bridge, another line 30 leads to a resistor R-4, from which a line 3l leads to a junction 32. From this junction, another line 33 leads into a resistor RFE that is connected by a line 34 into the lower junction 2l of the bridge.

The cross lines of the bridge lead from theterminal or junction 23 to the junction 32. From the junction 23, a line 37 leads to parallel temperature-compensating resistors R-G and R-l, the other sides of which are connected by a line 38 to a load terminal 40.

Moving to the other junction 32 in the bridge, it will be seen that a line 4I is connected therefrom to a. second load terminal 42.

The load terminals are connected oppositely to the usual terminals of a standard potentiometer pyrometer, to which the operating dry cell is conventionally connected. As thisy pyrometer may be one of the commercially available instruments.

thecircuits of which are welliknown, it is merely indicated in' block diagram form herein. For

. to 480 volts.

`ject to greater variation than the arrangemento- Fig. 1.

The reference characters appearing in Fig. 2. correspond to those in Fig. 1. It will be'seen there that the two power lines H and .12, which'may derive their power from a similar transformerrectier-condenser combination to that of Fig. 1, have a rst stage consisting of a resistorR-l 'and a VR tube I3 that is the same as the first .stage in Fig. 1. The second" stage includes the resistor R-2 and the terminal points 20 and 21. However, instead of connectingthe bridge network. of Fig.. 1 between the two junctions 20 and 2.1., vthe VRtube. 25.is connected directly across these two terminals', and the load network is connected also across the two .junctions 2i] andl 21.

, Theload network includes again the resistance combination of R/-i and RF1 in parallel, and it also includes the series resistance R-l 3.1 Thetwo load terminals 4D and 42 are as indicated.. withthe load generally indicated at L and consisting of the pyrometer previously. mentioned.

Operation The preferred form'` of the invention, illustrated in Fig. 1, will iirst be described. `For illustrativeY values, it willbe'assumed that the initial power` source is the conventional 60-cycle alternatingcurrent sourceV that delivers a nominal llvolts. Such sources are'subject to variations, .and the conventional allowance is to assumeI that these variations will change from a minimum of 95volts .to a maximumof 135 vol-ts.l r

The transformer T, the'rectier i0=and th condenser llt-produce a pulsating. unidirectional ycurrent in the .conventional manner. The. potentialacross the condenser, the: average value of .which'will vary almostdirectly with the R.. M. Si.

value of -theoriginal alternating current source, is'then applied/tothe network to removethe pulsations `and to maintain. a constantv current through Lthe resistive pyrometer networkA load, as will appear.

If the GO-cyclgsource is variable from 95 volts to 135 volts, the average direct potential across theY condenser llt-may. typically vary from 340 The first circuit branch. or stage across the condenser includes the resistor R-l and the VR tube I3. Thetube l3'lmay typically be of type OD.-3 that develops. approximately 150 volts when a currentoffrom .005 to '.030 arnperes flowsthrough'it. With these values, the resistor'R-I'mayhaveF 8550 ohms resistance, to give approximately 150- volts across -the-VR tube I3. The current through the tube mayvary from approximately 4 ma. to 22 ma., while the voltage developed across the tube'varies only a small percentage such as' Sfpercent of .the-variation of the applied 1 potential across'. thev condenser. I 4.

The voltageV developed acrossthetube .I3 is then applied togthevsecondstage.' This stage includes the resistor R2 andi the bridge network junctions 20 and21. A voltage subjectito much reduced variation is applied'to thesecondstage.

The potentialdrop through the resistorR-Z prof slightly .concave .to the leftin Fig. 3. For. ashort 4 vides for a reduced voltage between the junctions 20 and 21.

Since the voltage between the junctions 20 and 21 of the bridge network Vis the voltage developed across the VR tube I3 less the drop in the resistor Ril-2,r and sincethe resistor R2 is of a relatively high value, as'for example 14.650 ohms, it will be seen that the variations in voltage applied across the two junctions 20 and 21 are very much reduced from the variations across the condenser !4. The vresistor R2 is of such value as to produce, when combined with the resistors of Y the bridge, acurrent of approximately 10 ma. through anda voltage drop of approximately 75 voltsfacrossthe other VR tube 25. This second VR .tube 25 is assumed to be of the type OA-3, which developsapproximately '15 volts under a current variation of from 5 to 30 ma. through it. 1

As is known in commercial VR tubes, this type is neon filled. It posseses a stability, to be described, that is greater than other VR tubes charged with dierent gases. This characteristic is madeuse of herein..

The. compensating Vbridge .circuit connected be- .tween the Vtwo terminals 20- and .21, as part .ci la f Vsecond voltage regulating stage,A is designed to maintain the current through Vtheload constant within .02% despite variations.in.input.voltage of as much as plus or.rn.inus.13.%.

It will be seen that one leg .of-the bridge circuit consists. of thesecond VR..tube.25. Astandard voltage regulatortube of .this type, .when maintained at a constant-temperature, racts like an ideal battery and a pure constant-resistanceiin series, subject'to certaindiscovered limitations. Asv shownin Fig. 3,V wherein the characteristics of such va voltage regulator tube areplotted, with I in milliamperes of current through the tube plotted against E in volts developed across the tube, it will beseen that in certain portions of thelower ranges of this curve. theregisgreat instabilityk andvery irregular variation of voltage with current.

the tube for a given current through the-tube is diierent when the current isriSing-.from that when .the current is. lowering. Beyond this .very irregularpart of thecurve, stability is. found, and consideration of this rregular portion .will show that-itcomprises a smooth, gently curving line,

distance, wherein the curve may be .considered as a straight .-line, the .voltage developedv across the vtube is equal to aconstant. voltage .plus a voltage drop proportional to the .current through the tube. Thatis .to say, .the voltage. developed across the tube. is the .mathematical sum: of.v a predetermined =constan-t .voltage rthat isrelatively large, plus Athe product of thecurrentthrough the tube'expressed ina-mperes, andaronstant resistance expressed. in ohms, which product is relatively small. If the straight part orstable part rof the curve of the individual'tube charted inFig. 3 were continued down until. itreached zero current, it-wo-uldintersect the voltage axis at a value of slightly under '71 Volts, which value represents the constant voltage to whichfthe lIR drop through the tube is added to attain the voltage developed across the tube.

It has been further discovered.thatthisrelationship will hold strictly-true with commercially available .voltage regulator tubes onlyV when the change in the current through the tube is held to afrelatively-'small ,valuasuch asa value' in the :nature of 1 ma. The first volta'gefregulator Actually, also,'in this lower parto-fthe. curve, the Voltage developed acrossk tube I3 and the network up to the tube 25 hold the variation in voltage applied to the tube 25 within such limits, and hence within what can vbe considered as a straight portion of the stable part of the curve. As will appear, variations in ambient temperature also cause variations in the voltage across the voltage regulator tube, but the present arrangement has means to compensate for this.

Referring specifically to the' curve of Fig. 3, it will be seen that the current through the tube 25 should be maintained between about .010 amperes and .011 amperes, which can be done by proper evaluation of the resistors R-Z, R-3, R-4 yand R-5.

The function of the bridge circuit is as follows: The resistances are so evaluated that R-3 is to R-4 as R-25 is to R-5, where' R-25 r-epresents the constant resistance of the tube 25 as expressed by the slope of the curve of Fig. 3 at the operating point. With such an arrangement, any changes of potential between the points and 21 will cause equal changes in potential at points 23 and 32, and hence no change in the potential between the points 23 and 32.

R-I may be made of any standard resistance wire, but, in order to maintain the stability necessary for pyrometry, Rf-2 must be made of a resistance wire having a negligible temperature coefiicient of resistance, such as manganin.

As already stated, the operation of the tube 25 is affected by changes in temperature. The current through a voltage regulator tube is carried by ionized molecules of gas, and, if the temperature of the gas in the tube is increased, the molecular activity of the gas within it is increased. This lowers the apparent resistance of the tube, and a given current through it develops a lower voltage across it. After a short warm-up period, the temperature of the gas within the tube reaches a point'that will always bear a fixed relation to the temperature of the air surrounding the tube/if the tube is protected from drafts and the temperature of the surrounding air does not change suddenly.

j This temperature eifect is compensated for in the'present'invention by the resistor R-l. This resistor is of a commercially available type, known as a negative temperature coeflicient resistor, its resistance decreasing with rise in temperature. The resistor R-6, on the other hand, with which l the resistor R-I is electrically combined, is a resistance having negligible temperature coecient of resistance, such as manganin, or it may be a vwire having an appreciable positive temperature coefficient of resistance, such as any of the standard alloys in use today. The resistances of R-S and R-'I must be so chosen that the resistance of the two in parallel will vary with temperature in such a way as to compensate for the change in potential developed by the tube 25 as a result of changes in its operating temperature, and so that the voltage drop they produce will provide the proper netr voltage at the pyrometer terminals. Consequently, the resistor R-'I is located in close proximity to the tube 25 so as to be subjected to the same changes in temperature, and the tube V25 `and -resistor R-'I are protected from drafts and sudden temperature changes. By this means, it isl possible to maintain a constant current -through the load `despite ambient temperature variations that are not abruptl but that may amount toas much as 100 F. The values of R-B .andRf-l arechosen so that the total resistance of .the circuit comprising these resistances and the load varies with change in temperature directly with the variations in voltage between points 23 and 32 caused by changes in temperature.

From the foregoing, it may be seen that, with an initial power source of alternating current subject to considerable variation in voltage, there will be a resulting direct current ibetween the points 40 and 42 that is subject to only a small fraction of this variation. Indeed, the variation in voltage between the points 40 and 42 applied to a resistive load can be maintained within plus or minus .02% of its original value, despite the variations in temperature and applied Voltage.

The pyrometer circuit is shown schematically, and merely is employed to typify one of the familiar pyrometer networks, which heretofore have been dependent upon dry cells. Y

With the arrangement of Fig. 2, the operation of the first stage including the resistor Rf-I and the VR tube i3 is the same as that of the rst stage in Fig. 1. Assuming R-2 to have a resistance of 4650 ohms, there will be developed across the junctions 20 and 21 of Fig. 2 approximately 72.3 volts, and the current through the tube 25 will be approximately 10' ma. The voltage developed across the tube 25 is then applied through the parallel resistances R-6 and R-l, and the resistance RFI3, to the load junctions 40 and 42, which correspond to those of Fig. l.

The resistance R-'I is one of negative temperature coeiiicient of resistance, and is similar to the resistor R-l of Fig. 1, and is similarly protected from drafts and kept at the same temperature as that at the tube 25. For example, the resistor R-'l may have a resistance of 100 ohms'at 25 C.. and the resistor R-6 may have a resistance of 110 ohms and may be made as described in connection with Fig. 1. The resistance Rf-I3 may have a resistance of 11,800 ohms. The resistance of the load may be Varied from ohms to 293 ohms in the typical pyrometer network. 1

These values are given merely as illustrations. It will be found that the variation in current through the load is held `within very close limits,

-although not as close as are obtained iby the arrangement of Fig. 1. The bare cascading of the two VR tubes cannot obtain the advantages that are present in Fig. 1 where the bridge network is used. However, it will be noted that the temperature compensation is provided in the cascading arrangement of Fig. 2,'Whereby it attains a very much greater stability than can be obtained otherwise. In this arrangement, as'in the other one, the first stage holds the current variations across the second stage within narrow limitson the very staple portion of the tube graph, as shown in Fig. 3.

Thus, while the arrangement of Fig. 2 is not as desirable as that of Fig. 1, nevertheless it does attain a stability much greater than that heretofore obtained, and, for many purposes, it is adequate. It is suitable for pyrometry where the variations in the available power are within closer limits than those that may be accommodated by the arrangement of Fig. 1. y

What is claimed is:

1. A pyrometer arrangement including a py.- rometer having terminals for directcurrent input, a direct current power supply network, including a rst stage having a voltage dropping resistor and a rst gaseous conduction discharge tube in series, a second stage connected across the .first tube, the second stage including a sec? ond voltage reducing resistance and a second gas- 'that increase with temperature: variation correspondingly to .the increase in potential, developed acrossxthe .secondtube; and 'that `resistance f being subjectedzto :the temperature changes corresponding. .to .those at the secondztube.

2. .Afpyrometer arrangement adapted to derive powerfrom an valternating current source subject to;` wide ^variation, including a. pyrorneter', the; pyrometer having vterminals for-a direct fcurrent -input, a. direct currentpower. supply. havingztwo stages,.,the rst stage comprising a gaseousconduction `discharge tubev and voltagev dropping resistance in series for connection to a. fluctuating unidirectional source of power rectified from an alternating current source, the second stagev being rconnected across ythe rst'tubeto have a .potential 'correspondingy tothe potential developed across.the-first tube, thea second stage including resistance and a second gaseousconduction discharge; tube in series, a load circuitrincluding the pyrometer and a compensating means, connected acrossthe second tube, the. compensating means being adaptedv to maintain constant potential at the 1 pyrometer terminals despite variations. vin

voltage developed across '.the second tube', causedV vby temperature changes at saidV second tube, the second tube having acharacteristic'curve. of'currentthrough it against voltage developed across it wherein, at a low range of currents, Voltage instability results, andi at .aihigher rangeo currents stability results with a smooth curvefwherein narrow ranges of current variation eiectivelycorrevspond. linearly'with voltage.- developed,v the first stage .andsecond resistancebeingadapted to: hold the. current through the second tube within such narrow range on-the stable part of .said curve.:

3. A pyrometer arrangement for connection with. an alternating current source subject to potential variation', and arectiiier network having Vstage .including a voltage dropping resistance and a rst gaseous conduction discharge-.tubein se- VVries and for-connection .to said output terminals, a second stage connectedacrcss thersttube, "l and includingresistance meansiand` a, second gaseous. conduction discharge-l tube,` the second i stage vcomprising a bridge networkhaving a first leg wherein a resistanceand the second. tubeare connected inA series, va second leg wherein resistances are connected in series across the rst leg, and a load circuit includingtlde Dyrometer. apparatus, connected from one legv to the other, the load circuit being thereby. connectedacrossthe second tube, the bridge resistances. and second tube being proportioned. so that variations .inpetential Iapplied to the bridge from the first `stage will not produce changes in potential acrossthe load, the second tube. being subjecttovariations in potential developed acrossit resulting from output terminals, the-combination ofwa pyrometer Y. apparatus havingI power input` terminals, a; rst

changes in temperature nf the tube,. temperaturecompensating meanszin .fthefload circuit adapted tornaintain potential applied 1to1 the' load; constant` despite said-changeant potential developed across'. the tube resulting from temperature changes;

4. A. pyrometer, arrangement forA connection with an alternating.; Vcurrent -sourcesubi ect `to .potential variation, and a rectifier network-.having output terminals, the.. combination .fof a iPyrometer` apparatus having; power `,input terminala@ iirst stage includ-ing;.a:voltage'dropping resistance and'. aI -irst gaseous aconductionydischarge vtube ein seriesv andjfor connection to said: output. terminals, a second stage connected across the first tube; and. including `resistance meanssand .a-:seoond gaseous. conduction `.discharge tube, -the vsecond stage comprising va bridge network,having.;a rstleg-wherein a resistance-and the second tub'e are connected in series, asecond .leg .wherein resistances are connectedin series. acrcssjlth'e .first leg, and a-load circuitincluding. thefpyrometer apparatua. connected i from .one leg .tothe other, the -loady .circuit-.being therebir connected. across the second tube, the bridge resistancesandsec.- ond tube being. proportionedso that vvariations in potential-applied-to the.. bridge from the first stage will. not .producechangesin potential across the. load, the secondtube being.. subject tovariations .inpotential developed. across .it resulting from changes in. temperature ofthe. tube, temperature-compensating meansin the load circuit adapted to. maintainY potential applied .tothe .load constant desptesaid changes potential fdeveloped across the. tube .resulting from temperature changes, ,the secondi tube being characterizedfin havingthe curve ofjvoltage` developed across-it plotted against currentthrough itdisplay an irregularportion atlow current ranges, Afollowed by a smooth stable portion at higher current ranges, the stable portion being ,gently curved so that for narrow ranges of. current YvariationLthe potential variation is effectively linear, -theii'rst Stage andsecond resistances beingY adaptedto hold the current Variation through the second tube within such a narrow range.

5. A vregulated Vdirect current'powerrsupply network including a iirst stage having a. voltage dropping; resistor. anda rst gaseous conduction discharge tube in series. a second stage connected across the rst tube, ,the second stage includinga second. voltage reducingresistance. and a .second gaseousconduction discharge tube in series,A the second tube being subject tovariationsin potential developed thereacross. with .changesn temperature of the.tube,. an output circuit connected across the second'tube including. apair, of ter.- minals vadaptedto have aload lconnected there-.- between, and l.temperature-compensation. means in the. output circuit, thecompensation means bef ing subjected to .temperature changes correspondingto those of thesecondtuba and being adapted, to..maintain constant. potential at saidterminals despitev vchanges inpotential .developed across vthe second tubedue to temperature-variations, the temperature-compensationmeans.v including: a parallel-resistorhookup in the output circuit, one resistor. of thel hookup. having resistance l changes that. increaseV lwith temperature'lrvariation. correspondingly Yto the increase in potentialdevel-- oped `across the. second, tube,y andthat resistance being: subjectedtothe: temperaturey changescor.- responding-,tot those .at the second tube,

. 6. Apregulateddirect current power'fsupply-having two stages, the first `stage-comprisi-nga gaseous conduction discharge tube and voltage dropping resistance in series for connection to a liuctuating unidirectional source of power rectified from an alternating current source subject to wide voltage variation, the second stage being connected across the first tube to have a potential corresponding to the potential developed across the first tube, the second stage including resistance and a second gaseous conduction discharge tube in series, and an output circuit connected across the second tube including a pair of terminals adapted to have a load connected therebetween and including a compensating means, the compensating means being adapted to maintain constant potential at said terminals despite variations in voltage developed across the second tube, caused by temperature changes at said second tube, the second tube having a characteristic curve of current through it against voltage developed across it wherein, at a low range of currents, voltage instability results, and at a higher range of currents stability results with a smooth curve wherein narrow ranges of current variation effectively correspond linearly with voltage developed, the first stage and second resistance being adapted to hold the current through the second tube within such narrow range on the stable part of said curve.

7. A regulated direct current power supply having two stages, a rectifier network having output terminals and having input terminals adapted to be connected to a source of alternating current subject to voltage variation, a first stage including a voltage dropping resistance and a rst gaseous conduction discharge tube in series and for connection to said output terminals, a second stage connected across the rst tube, and including resistance means and a second gaseous conduction discharge tube, the second stage comprising a bridge network having a rst leg wherein a resistance and the second tube are connected in series, a second leg wherein resistances are connected in series across the first leg, and an output circuit including a pair of terminals adapted to have a load connected therebetween, said output circuit being connected from one leg to the other, the output circuit being thereby connected across the second tube, the bridge resistances and second tube being proportioned so that variations in potential applied to the bridge from the first stage will not produce changes in potential across the last mentioned terminals, the second tube being subject to variations in potential developed across it resulting from changes in temperature of the tube, and temperaturecompensating means in the output circuit adapted to maintain the potential applied to said last mentioned terminals constant despite said changes in potential developed across the tube resulting from temperature changes.

8. A regulated direct current power supply having two stages, a rectier network having output terminals and having input terminals adapted to be connected to a source of alternating current subject to voltage variation, a iirst stage including a voltage dropping resistance and a :llrst gaseous conduction discharge -tube in series and for connection to said output terminals, a second stage connected across the rst tube, and including resistance means and a second gaseous conduction discharge tube, the second stage comprising a bridge network having a first leg wherein a resistance and the second tube are connected in series, a second leg wherein resistances are connected in series across the rst leg, and an output circuit including a pair of terminals adapted to have a load connected therebetween, said output circuit being connected from one leg to the other, the output circuit being thereby connected across lthe second tube, the bridge resistances and second tube being proportioned so that variations in potential applied to the bridge from the first stage will not produce changes in potential across the last mentioned terminals, the second tube being subject to variations in potential developed across it resulting from changes in temperature of the tube, and temperature-compensating means in the output circuit adapted to maintain the potential applied to said last mentioned terminals constant despite said changes in potential developed across the tube resulting from ytemperature changes, the second tube being characterized in having the curve of voltage developed across it plotted against current through it display an irregular portion at low current ranges, followed by a smooth stable portion at higher current ranges, the stable portion being gently curved so that for narrow ranges of current variation the potential variation is effectively linear, the first stage and second resistances being adapted to hold the current variation through the second tube within such a narrow range.

LANDON C. LODGE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the lle of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,329,841 Keinath Sept. 21, 1943 2,363,057 Gaylord Nov. 21, 1944 2,466,299 Blok Apr. 5, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 684,473 France June 26, 1930 

